War is Hell - Ended. johnarryn wins as EA Ulm.

[johnarryn]

We currently have 10 players:

Currently in:
Ulm - johnarryn
Ermor - tromper
Niefelheim - atreides
Kailasa - BandarLover - Set to AI
Arcoscephale - Digress
Marverni - Thrawn
Yomi - Smu666ler - Defeated
Abysia - herbacious - Defeated
Agartha - CyborgMoses - Defeated
C'tis- GameExtremist - Defeated
Rlyeh- LoloMo - Defeated
Oceania - Methel
Sauromatia - Szumo
Atlantis - Dedas - Set to AI
Mictlan - Cupido2

Info about the game:
All settings are default EXCEPT....

graphs are off (I prefer no graphs. It makes it more difficult to determine your enemies' strength... scouting and accurate intelligence is much more important).
Renaming is allowed.
There will be a master password, in case I need to remove someone from the game (i've had too many problems to do without this).

I am not going with the accelerated start that GameExtremist suggested because, although early turns are slow, I feel they are very important to play. Your early expansion and development will translate into advantages later, so its good to learn how to take those early turns.

Im very happy to see alot of newer players joining the game... one of the things I like about hosting is that I can help new players to experience MP without too much pressure from playing against uber-veterans.

The map will be large (probably about 225 provinces, 15 per player, perhaps a bit larger), with a good amount of water provs (all 3 aquatics are in this game) as well as a good amount of mountainous barriers. This will likely be a long game... so I hope everyone can stay committed.

As I mentioned, Sheap's rules of diplomacy are in effect. I think the most important thing to remember is that we are playing a game... diplomacy is an important part of this game, and deception can be an important tool in diplomacy. So, scheming in-character is fine... however, don't use the mechanisms of the game to be a dick, by which I mean never do something like agreeing to a trade of gems for an item, and then not trading the item after you receive the gems. Thats a problem. On the other hand, breaking treaties is a-ok as long as you're willing to face the consequences in-game. But DON'T bring your gripes into the real world... i.e. don't insult a player because they've done something you don't like in the game. It's petty and detracts from the fun of the game.

Good luck to everyone!

[BandarLover]

I wouldn't mind playing since I'm already out of one MP game I had going. What era will this be? And what in the name of all that is holy is Sheap's rules of diplomacy?

[Digress]

Hi - I would be happy to play this one, if you will have me. I fear I am going to be eliminated from a game or two in short order (hopefully having learned a lesson or two along the way) and will be suffering from withdrawal symptoms.

[Thrawn]

Hi,

I would love to play. This will be my first MP game, and, like Digress will probably get eliminated quick. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif But, want to start learning MP. If you have room, would love to be in. Thanks...

[smu666ler]

Hello, I would like to play this game - if you take the never-played-a-MP-game noobs (who are willing to give their best and play regularly) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I played SP for a short while and like the game very much. I do have experience with strategic games and understand strategic concepts well, just need time to learn the finesse of this particular game.

Also, can you please post link to the thread or whatever explains the "Sheap's rules of diplomacy" ... I searched the forums myself with no luck ....

Thanks, and have a nice game either way

[Peregrine42]

Thanks for hosting johnarryn, I would like to join. Bandarlover, I hope you will entertain us with some of your AAR's. Great stuff.

Here is a link to Sheap's thread (http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3maars&Number=474483&fpar t=&PHPSESSID=)

[Egaragoras]

I'd like to play. It will be my first multiplayer game, so clear instructions as to what is expected of me would be helpful.

[GameExtremist]

I'm a newish player - and as you know am good with getting my turns in from the other PBEM you are hosting. (endoftime)

One suggestion though take it or leave it -

I'm playing in an accelerated startup game over here - http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/threads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=d3maars&Number=494159&page =0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

And so far (turn 19ish) its been a very exciting and fast game, basically you start with a bunch (10?) of sages to do the research and each player has an even distribution of starting provinces (althoughs there are still indy provinces aplenty).

Its up to you and the other players though, being first time mp for some guys vanilla might be the way to go : )

[LoloMo]

Hi! I would like to join. I've never played an MP game before, and just received my copy of dom3 2 weeks ago. Been checking here all that time for a new mp game to start =)

[Methel]

I'd like to play too.

[Szumo]

Great! I've been waiting for a new game to start since i finally got my copy. I'm new to Dominions and that would be my first MP game.

What are the exact settings? Map, etc.?

[Dedas]

Sign me up! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[johnarryn]

Wow, im impressed by the response... that should be enough people, so im going to close recruiting for now. I'll be PM'ing you about your nation later today.

[johnarryn]

I've updated the first post with more information about the game. Good luck to everyone!

Hopefully we'll be able to start by Friday... please send your pretender to me with the subject "EA Pretender - Nation Name (Ulm, or whatever). thanks.

[BandarLover]

Thanks for the Sheaps link Perrigrine and glad you enjoy my RP's. I most likely will write up a little something since I've just been eliminated from my first MP and still have a bit of that writing bug in me.

How can anyone not like a race of monkeys? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[CyborgMoses]

Ah, nuts, I came to sign up too late. Oh, well. If anyone turns out to be unable to play, please keep me in mind.

[smu666ler]

Peregrine, thanks for the link, I read the rules and I agree with them all the way. I especially like how they ecourage role playing of your leader when engaging diplomacy, I think that helps you enjoy the game a lot because it creates a clear distinction between one game and the next one, and segregates all games you are playing from your real life also ...

cheers

[LoloMo]

Hi again. I've turned in my pretender file, and eager to start! See you all in game.

[BandarLover]

It's not every day that one is visited by a god.

Certainly not every day said god tells you that you are going to be the mortal channel of his/her heavenly powers.

Unless of course you live in Evershy, in which case it happens more frequently than most worlds, with Ascension Wars and what have you. And it's about to happen once more. To Babadar.

See, Babadar is a monkey. Well, more like a gorilla. But not really. He's gorilla-ish. In fact, he could almost pass for human, if humans were a hulking mass of dark, course fur with long arms. Babadar lives in the forest, along with the rest of his monkey-kinda brethren, below Mount Kailasa. For centuries his people have lived in harmony with the Yavanas, the people of the mountain. Together, they have created a small haven ,safe from the outside world, where Bandar and Yavana live an idyllic and simple life. In fact, Babadar had just finished carrying stacks of bronze for the Yavanas smiths for the day before resting under a tree on one of the mountains many gentle slopes. He meant only to rest a little, but the afternoon sun and the gentle breeze soon made him drowsy and he napped.

And he dreamed.

Being a simple Bandar (as most were, the wisest among them - usually white furred Atavi - acting as spiritual guides) Babadar didn't fully understand everything in his dream. In it, Mount Kailasa was lifted up, as if by a great hand, and stretched so wide it covered the sky. And when it was set back down, it covered the whole earth. There were other sights as well, races of creatures he had never seen before and large, Titanic sized entities who all looked angry. Before he could see much else that might upset him, he was awakened by a soft and kind voice.

"Babadar."

He stretched and yawned widely, blinking the sleep from his intelligent eyes. What he saw stopped his breath.

A tall woman, similar to a Yavana female but taller still, stood before him. Her pale face was framed by long black hair and she looked at him with eyes as dark as obsidian. He saw no malice in her gaze, only a profound and probing interest in him. And a deep sadness. He thought she was beautiful and instantly loved her. Not as a young male Bandar may love a young female Bandar, but as someone he knew he could look to for guidance and reassurance. He would gladly lay down his own life for her, he knew. Had he known the word, he would have called her an angel.

"You can call me Jasmine," she said, as if reading his thoughts. He started to speak but his words seemed stuck in his throat. She smiled wanly. His heart ached at her sorrow.

"I know who you are Babadar, do not trouble yourself with speech. Listen now." He nodded his understanding and this time her smile had more warmth in it.

"I knew you would be perfect. I chose you Babadar, because I need your help." She held forth her arms and he noticed for the first time the cruel, midnight colored shackles around her pale, slender wrists. The manacles marred and burnt her where they lay against her skin. Babadar choked back a sympathetic cry of pain.

"Do not worry my harbinger. I have been imprisoned many millennia but these bonds grow weak. There is a shifting in the Void, I can feel it. My commission to you is simple, Babadar. All I ask is that you prepare the way for me when I return. There are some, even among your own people, who will resist. But you must be strong for me. Can you do this?"

Babadar nodded eagerly. Yes, yes! anything for her.

"Good." Her voice almost purred and it made Babadar's heart flutter. "I knew you would not disappoint. Now. Wake up, Babadar."

With a quick gasp, Babadar shot upright from the tree trunk. He glanced about madly but could see no sign of the woman that he knew was just before him. He might have decided then and there that it never happened were it not for the bundle lying heavily beside him. He cautiously unwrapped it, revealing a burnished bronze cuirass, and gleaming bronze sword and a bronze cap with an etched river flowing from the top of its crest. And the fact that all of this fit him as if it had been tailor made for him alone was all the convincing he needed to know it was not simply a dream. He turned toward Bandar with a new found purpose.

He would not disappoint his mistress.

[johnarryn]

Very nice. Keep it up...

[smu666ler]

Hey that's a nice opening story http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif I'm thinking of writing my own since I'm so inspired by all the Japanese folklore and mythology articles at Wiki which I searched for a good pretender god name.

I have a question anyway ... The victory conditions? I learned from one AAR I read that it is important to tell at the beginning of the game weather an alliance can win a game or does it have to be a showdown between allies once there is no one left. Also how much ppl max can be in an alliance? Stuff like that ...

[BandarLover]

Please do smu666ler. I also enjoy reading peoples write ups as well as doing them myself.

Can't help ya on victory conditions though.

[johnarryn]

I don't see any need for hard and fast conditions. If you're satisfied with an alliance win, so be it. If you want all the glory for yourself, that's cool too...
Of course, allies can always fight it out with each other after they are victorious...

[Methel]

So when will this game kick off?

[BandarLover]

Sometime today methinks.

[johnarryn]

I have sent out the map files and first turns.

If you have not received these files let me know IMMEDIATELY!!! Email and PM, and include your email address and what nation you are playing.

Good luck!

[Methel]

wee! all done. The first few turns are pretty fast, maybe we can do more than one each day.

[johnarryn]

I'll certainly try, but people are in different time zones... it makes it harder.

[BandarLover]

I'd be up for multiple turns once I figure this PBEM out http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And speaking of timezones...where's everyone from in this game?

I'm in boring old Arkansas, USofA

[johnarryn]

Im from Florida originally, I live in Manhattan these days.

[Peregrine42]

And here we go! Turn 1 sent.

Hopefully this game will go a bit better than my other (and 1st) MP game. In that one, I managed to turn a position of relative power into a position of "Oh crap, I think I'm knee deep in monkey poo" through pure mismanagement. Then again, I may have been knee deep in monkey poo to start with and not even realized it. I blame my prophet who, apparently, was too busy dallying with the camp followers to march into war like I told him to.

Bandarlover, nothing personal, but I really hope you are far away from me. I've had my fill of monkeys for a little while.http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

I'll be on for a few hours if another turn comes up. I'm Canadian, living in Ottawa but originally from Montreal. Eastern Standard Time.

[LoloMo]

I'm from Philippines. Sent out my turn =)

Edit: I'm GMT +8, but I log on several times a day. Hopefully we'll get a few turns done over the weekend.

[Methel]

Norway here, so gmt +1

[LoloMo]

"Boss, we're not supposed to be here", Yad ventures again for the seventeenth time since entering the Forbidden Gorge several hours ago.

"Shut up Yad", Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh (Hundredth and Fifty Eighth according to popular royal kitchen gossip) responds.

"I mean, it's called the Forbidden Gorge for a reason. They could have called it the Barren Gorge, or the Stinky Gorge, or even the Gorge Where Traitors To the King Flees Never To Be Seen Again And Where The Royal Kingdom Constabulary Refuses To Pursue Prefering The One Year Latrine Duty Punishment Instead..."

"Shut up Yad", Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh replies by reflex, as he negotiates a group of largish slabs of fossilized coral rock.

"..."

Surprised at his servant's sudden obedience, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh (and don't you forget it) looks up to see Yad staring ahead with his mouth open and shaking all over.

Turning to the object of Yad's fear, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh beheld a smallish stone bridge traversing a smallish ravine (it was barely a crack) in the seabed. On both sides of the bridge, sickly green ooze floated straight up, carried along by unseen currents. On the bridge itself squats an unimpressive looking sea brocolli. In fact the only thing unusual about it was that it was colored pink. A light girlish pastel pink for it's stumpy trunk and a glaring fuscia pink for its stubby top appendages.

Irritated, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh gives his servant an angry cuff to back of the head and heads towards the bridge and the pink brocolli blocking the way.

"Boss, we have to go, please please please lets go, somethings not right please please please we have to go now now now", Yad yammers in an epileptic fit of terror.

Making a mental note to feed his latest servant to his prize winning golden stripped kraken once they got back to the palace, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh unhooks his ax as he steps onto the bridge preparing to clear the pink brocolli.

"no no no no noooooo!", Yad screams as he half scrambles half swam back the way they came from.

"Wretched thrall, I'm going to flay you alive before I feed you to Goldie", Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh mutters as he took his first swing at the pink brocolli.

Somehow his blow went wide and hits his right toe instead, hacking away a fair bit of it.

"OW! OW!! OW!!! OW!!!! @#$%@! MOTHER SPAWING TOAD @#$ SHAMBLER SLIME SLURPER @#$%!@@#$%&^&&*@," came a string of invectives that would shock any member of the Royal Court.

The pink brocolli sat there and waved its stumpy appendages condescendingly.

Furious, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh hops back and takes a second swing at the pink brocolli, and a third, and a fourth with the only apparent effect of sending a shiver through the stumpy trunk of the pink fungus. And it wasn't quite a shiver of fear, or of alarm. In fact, it seemed suspiciously more like a giggle.

Enraged, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh drops his ax and charges in, intending to pull and tear apart the waving, shivering, giggling, fuscia appendages with his bare hands.

"I'M THE TWENTY SIXTH PRINCE OF R'LYEH AND NO PINK BROCOLLI WILL DEFY ME!"

Grabbing a handful of the rubbery fuscia appendages in each hand, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh tore left and right, foaming at the mouth with rage.

"I'M THE TWENTY SIXTH PRINCE OF R'LYEH AND YOU WILL OBEY ME!"

But the more Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh laid into the pink brocolli, the more numerous the appendages seemed to become. In fact it seems that a forest of pink appendages now surrounds the hapless Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh. Manic and on the edge of insanity, Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh screams one last time.

"I'M GULATURRU THE FIRST PROPHET OF LOMO AND I WILL NOT DEFY YOU!"

A part of Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh realizes with horror what the rest of his mind has uttered, but that part was even then dimming and it wasn't long before it was as if it never existed.

"I'm Gulaturru the First Prophet of LoMo, and I will obey you!", Gulaturru the First Prophet of LoMo swears as his eyes shine with fanatical fervor.

----

Meanwhile, Yad, the last thrall of Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh continues half scrambling, half swimming away from the gargantuan shadow pressing upon his mind.

[johnarryn]

Turns are trickling in... make sure to have your turn in my 5 pm EST (GMT -5).

[BandarLover]

The moments following Babadar's encounter with Jasmine and the build up to his meeting with Bandar's Council Elders went by in a blur. He distinctly remembered being met on the road by several Yavana. All of them seemed to know what had transpired even though Babadar had not yet told anyone about his experience. He heard their adulation in his mind despite the fact that they never moved their lips when they spoke to him (Another interesting fact about Yavanas - even though Babadar was too simple of a creature to notice - was that despite the fact that they appeared in both male and female forms, they were completely devoid of any gender specific reproductive genitalia). It was strange, Babadar had always figured they couldn't speak and was just now beginning to appreciate the gifts that come from being Chosen. His small entourage followed him as far as the valley that led to the great tree city of Bandar, before they slipped away unseen. It was a bit unnerving to Babadar; one moment they were there, the next he was alone before the great Outer Wall.

Bandar was laid out in a roughly circular shape around a sweeping crop of trees that were taller than any others on the slopes of Mount Kailasa. The simple, inter-connected huts of the Atavi were built within the tree branches themselves. The larger Bandar apes preferred living in huts on the forest floor. The smaller Markata monkeys lived wherever they could, some even building small lean-tos against other dwellings. They were everywhere, even now as evening began to set and the rest of the Bandar residents were settling down. Babadar was met by a small retinue of Bandar warriors. He recognized their larger, scarred leader as Grafe-Ro, which literally meant Scarred One. He appraised Babadar with his one good eye for a few brief moments. Babadar, as usual, found it difficult not to stare at the three whitish scars that ran down the left side of Grafe-Ro's face from forehead to jaw line. Grafe was a commander of the Outriders, an elite force of warriors that patrolled Bandar's borders and kept it safe from predators. Grafe earned his namesake by single handedly killing the largest tiger ever reported within Kailasa's forests. And while he may have lost an eye, along with several other patches of fur on his body, he had gained the most famous trophy in Bandar. The Elders claimed it was the Father of Tigers that he had slain and rewarded Grafe with a higher place in the Bandar Caste. He was one of the few allowed to carry a sword wherever he went.

"The Elders wish to see you," he finally said in his low, gravelly voice. He turned abruptly on his heels and lead the way to the Common House.

Any other time this would have made Babadar very nervous, but instead he felt a soothing wave of calm coursing through his body. He had intended an audience with the Elders sooner or later.

At the doors, Grafe halted and motioned for Babadar's sword. No weapons were allowed inside and Babadar readily complied. Inside, all of the elder gurus were present, as were the younger yogis. All eyes centered on Babadar as he entered the chamber. He muttered a quick prayer to Jasmine.

"We expect an explanation for your actions Babadar."

It was Sharlynn, the oldest of the guru who spoke. Babadar had by now figured out that the yavanas must have communed with the elders earlier. It was no matter, he had thought long and hard about what he would say to get the elders backing for his plans.

"Brother Sharlynn-" He began before being interuppted.

"Who are you to speak to an elder so, as if we were equals?" The old white- furred guru rose unsteadily, pointing an accusing finger in Babadar's direction. "You have no rights here and you will know your place!"

Whatever Babadar was going to say had left him as he stood shocked and terrified. He had thought the elders, if they indeed knew what had occurred to him, would have been happy to know that Jasmine's return as near. Sharlynn, laughed contemptuously, and Babadar knew his thoughts had been heard.

"You are no prophet, Babadar. No goddess would chose such a poorly crafted vessel as you for such a sacred duty. Only the Elders can make that decision, you know this from our own teachings. What answer do you have for this HERESY!"

Babadar was all too aware of every gaze that was turned upon him. He felt parched, his tongue suddenly swollen in his mouth. And his head swam before him. He was dangerously close to panic and can be forgiven for not remembering what happened next.

"FOOL!" Babadar boomed in a voice not entirely his own. His countenance seemed to grow, while the elders all recoiled at his sudden outburst. His eyes glowed a fierce white light and they stared directly at Sharlynn. "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION MY CHOICES! YOUR PURPOSE IS TO DO MY BIDDING!"

Sharlynn fell bodily to the floor, struggling to raise himself up but it was as if an unseen force held him firmly in place.

"M-m-mistress-" He started.

Babadar's eyes flashed, and he thrust his fist into the air. A blinding light flashed forth, causing all present to shriek in pain. When they finally gathered their senses, Sharlynn's smoldering body still lay on the dirt floor and Babadar was supporting himself against one of the far walls.

"What...what happened?" He asked, genuinely perplexed. He blinked madly; his eyes felt hot in their own sockets and his body felt stretched and sore. When his eyesight returned, he noticed the entire assembly of gurus and yogis had dropped in obeisance to him, heads bowed and arms outstretched with palms raised to the sky. The last thing Babadar thought before he passed out was that somehow, Bandar would be united with the Yavanas in their assigned task of preparing the world for the return of Jasmine.

[johnarryn]

Turn will be out in a few hours, at the most... We're waiting on Niefelheim.

[johnarryn]

Turn 2 is out.

[Szumo]

I see a few of you guys took awake pretenders and attacked with them blindly on 1st turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

What i can't understand is why Arco has 5 guys in Hall of Fame
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

[johnarryn]

It always happens. He doesnt really have 5 guys in the hall of fame, its just that no one else has earned a spot, so the game by default says there are a bunch of Arco guys there... its a common bug.

[Digress]

All true Arcoscephalians are heroes. Heroes in thought and deed (at present it has to be said it has been mainly thought). We continue to heroically examine our navel fluff and consider important things such as "how did it get there ?" "why is it a different colour from our toga ?" "are there immutable, universal laws that control its deposition ?" "can we construct a aesthetic that would allow us to compare the intrinsic beauty of one navel's fluff to anothers ?"

We will continue to cogitate on these matters ....

[smu666ler]

Nice job by the Atlantean god - killing those fifty guys on the first turn ... I hope he didn't get a battle wound like an eye poked out or something =)

[LoloMo]

Nice job by Atlantis, although R'lyeh is really hoping fervently that he did get his eye poked out and hopefully also crippled =)

[Dedas]

He he, my pretender is fine (of course!). All eyes in place.

[LoloMo]

Yad Taddag, the Last Thrall of Gulaturru the Twenty Sixth Prince of R'lyeh collapses into a ditch from sheer exhaustion. He had been fleeing non-stop for more than a month now, barely eating or sleeping, and always the gargantuan pink shadow pressing in upon his mind.

"No more, please, no more..." he whimpers, and he thrashes unconciously in the mud. It took a long time, but eventually he stills and slumbered. When next he woke, gone was the fear that had marred his fishy visage. In its place now shines a clarity of purpose previously absent in his long life of servitude. Immediately he sets upon making a wooden sign using pieces of driftwood and a chipped coral knife. Using pieces of rope, he ties the sign to his back.

"Yad Taddag's Gems and Sundry Ltd. Pt. Co. Inc."
"Will trade my Fire and Earth Gems for your Water Gems"

further along in fine print, it says:

"PS I don't have the gems yet but I will soon"
"PPS Looking for a long term trade contract with a fixed number of gems per turn"

[johnarryn]

BandarLover is having connection problems. Im going to extend the deadline for 3 hours to 8 pm tonight (EST, GMT -5). At that point I will host. So, only a minor delay... im very committed to a turn a day, to keep things rolling.

[smu666ler]

I take it that otherwise the standard turn upload stays at somewhere 5pm EST (11pm for us at GMT +1) for next turn and the following ... ?

I hope he will have it sorted out on time, he really seems to be commited to the game, especially from his creative side =)

[Dedas]

Just don't let this interesting game stall. Please? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[smu666ler]

Please don't stall ... Atlantean pretender is hungry for more indie blood http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[BandarLover]

I'm back!! And really really really sorry to make everyone wait.

[johnarryn]

I will be hosting shortly. Don't worry... any of you who are in my other games will know that I try to keep 'em moving.

[johnarryn]

Turn 3 is out.

[Szumo]

Ah the cruel fortune.. nothing like getting your commander killed by a stray arrow when battle is almost won.

[smu666ler]

Wow, way to go people, Turn 4 already out ...

[johnarryn]

Yes, turn 4 is out... that was a quick one. Good job, guys!

[johnarryn]

9/15 turns in... it would be great if we could host again today... get those turns in!

[Peregrine42]

Wow, that's fast. Just got home. Turn will be sent in shortly.

[johnarryn]

Excellent. Turn 5 will be out as soon as I receive the file from Peregrine42.

[Peregrine42]

Turn sent. Sorry for making everyone wait!

[johnarryn]

It seems I missed the fact that I still need Arcoscephale's turn... so we'll need to wait for him to proceed. Hopefully he'll get the turn to me this evening.

[Szumo]

Ahh.. not waiting then, off to sleep.

[johnarryn]

Turn 5 on its way

[smu666ler]

Any sign of turn 6?

EDIT: wow that was fast http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[johnarryn]

Turn 6 has been sent

[BandarLover]

Ask and ye shall recieve!

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[LoloMo]

Gulaturu The First Prophet of LoMo watches through the eyes of his troops as battle was commenced. The Slave Tritons tried to put up a fight, but their addled brains made them slow and ineffective. Many broke the chains of control Gulaturu had placed on their wills and fled the battlefield. Good thing he had prepared for this possibility and had incorporated more sever brain alterations into the subjugation program that will guarantee future slave troops do not rout. A couple more turns should ensure that the new army will have sufficient numbers to repel the Enemy.

"Oh Great Prophet of LoMo The All Powerful Pretender Who Sleeps While His Subjects Who Did Not Volunteer Are Slaughtered, the Enemy has taken our province are are now within a day's march from our position! Shall we deploy the new troops?" the slave messenger reports.

Yes, the Old Brainwashing Program definitely needs to be improved.

"No. Instruct our forces and prepare to march to the Capital. Oh, and you'll stay here and keep me updated. I'm promoting you to Captain. Pick out several of your best buddies to keep you company."

At least the little twerp will be useful for one last mission, Guluturru snickers privately to himself.

[Szumo]

Turn 7?

[LoloMo]

Yup, I received the files about 5-6 hours ago

[Szumo]

LoloMo said:
Yup, I received the files about 5-6 hours ago



I haven't http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

[LoloMo]

hmm, try checking your spam folder. Otherwise you'll have to wait for Johnarryn to resend it. Maybe he missed sending out yours.

[Szumo]

I have no such thing as spam folder http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif
And mail from johnarryn gets stored in special folder.

Johnarryn, please send me my turn file http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/fear.gif

[johnarryn]

Szumo,
I may have forgotten to send your turn... I will send it at 4:30 PM EST (GMT -5) today, Thursday... if you don't receive your turn next time it is better to email me rather than post on the board.
Sorry about the confusion.

[Szumo]

Thanks. I saw no announcement of new turn on the forum and no new mail = assumed you didn't host yesterday.

Fortunate that LoloMo made his post or i would still be waiting for turn quietly http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

[johnarryn]

Turn 7 was sent out, in case anyone doesn't know that =)
I will try to let you know that turns are sent out, but more likely if theres some sort of delay I will post that instead... so if you don't hear anything from me, assume that the turn has been sent out.

A bit of story:

Perekar anxiously approached the towering form of The First Mountain, God of Ulm. Only a year ago The First Mountain had been nothing but a legend, a story told to frighten children. Yet now He walked among the people of Ulm, guiding their warriors for some greater purpose.

Perekar kneeled. "Lord, our scouts report the presence of... creatures to the south. They march under a strange banner." Even standing, Perekar would not have reached a tenth of The First Mountain's height. Kneeling, the presence of the God was overwhelming.

"HAVE THESE... CREATURES... BECOME AWARE OF OUR PRESENCE?" The First Mountain's voice made leaves fall from the trees in the clearing; Perekar trembled. "No, Lord," he replied.

"VERY WELL. DO NOT REVEAL OUR PRESENCE. WE WILL CONSIDER THIS INFORMATION... YOU MAY GO."

Perekar stood, attempting to conceal his eagerness to depart. For a moment he gazed up to the face of The First Mountain... the God's face was as uncaring as stone; already his mind had moved on to other matters. Bowing, Perekar hastily departed the clearing.

[BandarLover]

Lovin the short stories for this game so far. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[LoloMo]

Szumo, got your turn 7 yet? Hope we'll still be on schedule for turn 8. I'm eagerly awaiting the demise of another one of my province =)

[johnarryn]

Turn 8 out. Thanks Szumo.

[Szumo]

Well well well, it's starting to get interesting. My scouts are starting to report on some tasty looking treats for Spleen Eater. Some look a little too big too swallow though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[johnarryn]

Waiting on Mictlan.. ill host late this evening if I dont get his turn.

[BandarLover]

Administration was something new for Babadar but he thought he was getting the hang of it. After the otherworldly display with the Council elders, things began falling into place quickly. The humans in the surrounding provinces did resist, as Jasmine had first told Babadar that they would. But they also seemed to accept the Bandar rule rather quickly. Babadar attributed this to the vigilant guidance of the Yavana. Unlike the other fey races of Evershy - your Vanir, Tuatha and what have you - the Yavanas showed actual concern for the younger, mortal races of men. While Babadar thanked Jasmine things were going so smoothly, there was one close scare.

A stubborn province of humans held out valiantly against Bandar early on, thanks in large part to the elephant corps the humans deployed. Grafe-Ro, newly appointed Grand Commander of the Bandar Army, ordered his archers to train all arrows on the menacing behemoths whose very footsteps made the earth tremble. Unfortunately, the missiles only seemed to further enrage the beasts, and the Atavi and Bandar forces would have been wiped out to a (ape?)man had the Yavanas not proven their worth once again. Grafe could only gape in awe as the Yavanas warriors halted the elephant's charge by simply staring them down. The pachyderm riders whipped and yelled for the creatures to move forward but all they would do was lay down under the gentle touch of the Yavanas. The remaining Atavi and Bandar took decisive action, with Grafe leading the counter-charge, chopping down the bewildered humans before they had a chance to fully comprehend what had just happened. Afterward, Babadar had all the elephants he could find rounded up and sent to Kailasa. He hoped these larger, more aggressive pachyderms would mate with the smaller, and less numerous elephants that lived within the surrounding forests.

Yes, things could not be going more smoothly, Babadar thought. That was before an out of breath Markata scout scampered in through Babadar's study window. He listened patiently as the diminutive chimp gave it's report in it's high pitched tongue of Bagesh'ii, the 'common' tongue of Bandar. Two, possibly even a third, race of creatures far different from the other surrounding independent humans had been spotted. Babadar sat in deep thought. What he had thought was a smooth running transition of empire building for his Mistress was not going to be so easy after all. These past few months were mere prep work he saw now.

The hard work was just beginning.

[smu666ler]

Still waiting for Mictlan or did I miss turn 9?

[BandarLover]

Think we are stil waiting, I've not gotten turn 9 either.

[johnarryn]

Apologies, guys... Mictlan's player is usually very prompt, so im worried I might have somehow forgotten to send the turn... I re-sent it about 5:00 pm EST, I want to give him about 12 hours to send it... doesnt seem fair to host if it was my fault. Sorry for the delay.

[Szumo]

Perhaps you would like to automate sending out turns, using a script and a command line mail sending utility? Let me know if you're interested, i think i could help.

[cupido2]

no no it was my fault. I was moving and thought I told johnarryn. But obviously I hadn't. sorry for the delay. My turn is sent now

[johnarryn]

Turn 9 has been sent out.

[johnarryn]

I realize that I sent out turns late, but I would like to urge everyone to get their turns in as soon as possible so we can keep thing moving.

[LoloMo]

Sent in my turn =)

[johnarryn]

Waiting on Oceania... when I get his turn, or at 5 pm (EST, GMT -5, whichever is sooner), we will resume the regular hosting schedule.
thanks.

[johnarryn]

Turn 10 is out. Also, Micah will be temporarily taking over Niefelheim for atreides, who is on vacation.

[johnarryn]

Turn 11 is out.

[Methel]

Ah, that should look nice on the old mantlepiece http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Szumo]

So, Oceania got themselves an Atlantean trophy?

I see you underwater folks don't play around http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Dedas]

Well, my arrogant pretender finally got his *** handed to him.

Hmmm... all went so well until the joint forces of Oceania and R'lyeh (how do you tackle those mind blasters with low MR Atlantians anyway?) decided to bring me down. Oh well. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[LoloMo]

Beware the fishies! =)

[CyborgMoses]

My internet service has disappeared; depending on the reason, it might take a day or two to get reconnected. If you folks would be willing to wait, I'd appreciate it.

[CyborgMoses]

Okay, the problem is fixed.

[johnarryn]

Parekar looked down at the battered corpse that had once been known as Pathos, the Son of Titans, hero of Arcoscephale...

(Earlier that morning)

The battle itself had begun in confusion and misunderstanding. Perekar's unit, moving into a small village, had expected to find nothing but local militia. Instead two strong groups of troops under an unknown banner had emerged from the village to challenge the advance of the Ulmish troops.

Perekar's warrior maidens had focused their fire on the enemy mercenaries, attempting to bring them down before they could make contact. The Arcoscephalian archers, though not as skilled as the Warrior Maids of Ulm, returned punishing fire. The warrior maidens stood grimly to their work, losing a quarter, then half of their number. Perekar felt victory sliding further and further from his grasp.

Then his God joined the battle.

The First Mountain strode past the remaining warrior maidens, moving directly into the mass of enemy warriors.
Swords, spears and arrows broke against him as the wind breaks against a cliff. First the enemy mercenaries then the Arcoscephalian warriors themselves broke and ran in the face of The First Mountain's unmoving power and hammer-like fists.

Yet one man remained when the rest had fled. Clad in bright armor and a strange aura of nobility, the Arcoscephalian drew his sword and challenged the God to battle. Ducking quickly under The First Mountain's attacks, the Arcoscephalian struck once, twice, then three times. On the third blow he felt his sword slide past the God's defenses, inflicting a minor wound. The First Mountain paused; then, faster than a mortal could possibly parry, struck Pathos in his sword arm, which hung tattered at the mortal's side. The next strike sundered Pathos' breastplate... and the mortal knew fear. He turned to run, as the others had run, but was hindered by his ruined armor. A final strike, as inevitable as an avalanche, sent Pathos sprawling. He did not rise.

(Later in the day)

A warrior maiden approached. "Sir. What shall we do with the enemy dead?" Perekar shook himself from thought. "Burn them," he said. Then "Wait. This one. Their commander. Send him back to the Arcoscephelians. Tell them he was brave."
The maiden nodded and departed. Perekar sighed. It was time to move on.

[BandarLover]

Nice http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Well, maybe not for Arco though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[Digress]

Arcoscephale mourns the loss of one of her finest sons. This champion of Arcoscephale was crushed beneath the fists of Ulm's pretender in a struggle that will long be remembered as the epitome of a mortals struggle against the gods.

The care and respect shown to his battered corpse shows that at least those Ulmish barbarians have a sense of honour. We now look to new heroes to carry the banner of Arcoscephale.

We take heart from the fact that others clearly share our pain http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[GameExtremist]

Anyone one know why Yomi is set to AI?

IF smuggler has quit, do we want to find a replacement...still only early in the game.

[Methel]

he had some personal stuff that needed sorting out.

[johnarryn]

Yes, I had meant to post about that. smu666ler had to quit because of some personal issues, and he set himself to AI. There is no way to reverse that. Regardless, he had said that Yomi was already on the way out, so rather than spend the time needed to search for a replacement I simply agreed to let him go AI.

[Thrawn]

Yomi is AI now? Good to know, since I am currently fighting him. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[Szumo]

In case turn 15 is out, i didn't get it...

[Szumo]

I see dead Pretenders http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Any stories?

[johnarryn]

Alas, our God was a bit less of a "super"combatant than w hd previously supposed.
Sigh.

[Szumo]

I am assuming it was Arco forces that proved that point?

Btw, Arcoscephalians, we Sauromatians are not really amused by fact that we have become neighbours. How about you move that army back north huh? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[johnarryn]

Arcoscephale and Ulm are not at war; our God fell in an unfortunate chance encounter. But The First Mountain cannot sleep. He will return.

[Dedas]

... reborn as The Second Mountain in White!

[Digress]

We feel think we have demonstrated quite conclusively that if the First Mountain cannot sleep he certainly is capable of the occasional nap http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Arcoscephale will revere the scorched and broken pile rubble that once was the body of the the Ulmish demigod until the mountains of Ulm spawns a new body for their god.

[CyborgMoses]

Say, has anybody researched the spell "Kill All Goddamn Niefels" yet? I just sent in my army with all my big mages in support and wound up with one kill and over 100 casualties.

[Micah]

You killed your share of my giants last turn when I botched my scripting...why the AI decided holy avenger was a better choice than bless is beyond me though.

[johnarryn]

Niefelheim is ridiculous. Flaming arrows works against em ok...

[Micah]

Lies! Flaming arrows suck, they're worthless and certainly not worth the fire gem it takes to cast them. You're much better off casting frozen heart instead.

[johnarryn]

Haha! Nice, Micah.

[johnarryn]

Sorry for the late hosting... I have some personal issues going on right now that are going to slow down hosting to 48 hrs... this should only be for a week or two... please still try to get your turn in on time, but the game may move a little slower.
thanks.

[GameExtremist]

Take all the time you need JA and thanks again for hosting what has turned out to be two great games simultaneously.

BTW what happened to Bandarlover, I loved his stories, now Kalasia set to AI....somebody crunch him early on?

[johnarryn]

BandarLover had to quit due to some personal issues.. I set him to AI this turn.

[CyborgMoses]

Eh, I went all-out to get early Blade Wind for expansion... so, of course, I can't seem to stop my mages from spamming it at high-protection giants in close combat with all my low-protection troops. Thanks, mages.

[GameExtremist]

Ouch...sounds like tough times in Agartha, if you can research some Evocation fire spells they could come in handy, I would have thought your ancient ones and maybe a basic kitted up trog lord or two could help take out a few.

I was only today wiped out on turn 11 by a early Jotunheim rush, playing Caelum...if you aren't prepared for them.....kind of hard to turn the tide.

[CyborgMoses]

Ah, I can't recruit anything, unfortunately; my capitol has been under siege for some time now. My mages much prefer casting Blade Wind and Flying Shards to any of those silly fire spells... and the last of my fire mages is about to be wiped out, since they wound up outside my capitol in the abortive 100-casualty Break Siege.

Hey, anyone want a vassal state? Agartha will help out with whatever you're doing and pay tribute for the low, low price of saving us from OH GOD GIANTS BEATING MY FACE ARGGGGH

[Micah]

Well, I hear hypothermia is a pretty decent way to go. If you would stop squirming around and just lie down and take a nap it could all be over quietly...

[Peregrine42]

It appears that the vile nation of Sauromatia has decided to launch their forces against our noble Abysia. They will not find us to be easy prey. For those that are not aware, Sauromatia used a large mercenary army to expand dramatically. But, sanity restored, that same mercenary army has now abandoned their cause. Their national force is now massed against us in the south while the rest of their nation lies exposed. I encourage nations neighboring Sauromatia to attack now while they are vulnerable and before they can use their large provincial resources to replace their mercenary army. Needless to say, doing so will also garner the goodwill of Abysia and we will do what we can to repay the favor.

[Szumo]

Large mercenary army? Those were merely scouts, we're afraid...
Worry not though, Abyssians. Now that Jasmine of Kailasa has gone insane, we Sauromatians have more interesting lands to conquer.

[LoloMo]

... and so the dreams of the Great Pink Brocolli came to an end, as the harsh reality of the Oceanian army crumbled finally the once mighty fortress of R`yleh.

Hope I gave you two (Atlantis and Oceania) enough of a challenge with my first MP game. =)

[johnarryn]

LoloMo, I appreciate you playing... keep your eyes out for my next game, which i'll start whenever one of my games going now ends.

Also as a general announcement, Atlantis has been set to AI...

[tromper]

I wanna reserve a spot in your next hosted game, if possible, johnarryn. You've been doing a fantastic job. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

And it's a shame us land lubbers couldn't help you out in the early game, LoloMo. Nice job Oceania!

[Methel]

what he gave up? hmm well I guess it was just a matter of time, but still would have appreciated some resistance http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
Still, well played both LoloMo and Atlantis(sorry cant remember your name atm) http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[johnarryn]

No, Dedas didn't give up... I think he is just facing some time constraints.

[Methel]

ah well, hes as good as dead anyways. Look to the sea... Look to the sea and know terror!

[Szumo]

So the whole sea will belong to Ocenia soon?

This is a little unsettling.

[johnarryn]

Atreides has returned and has resumed control of Niefelheim.

[Szumo]

Btw CyborgMoses, i'm curious if you consider using 50 fire gems to kill 25 light cavalry, worth 500 gold total, a worthwhile trade? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

I understand you might have felt a little nervous in last few turns, but wouldn't alchemizing those and buying more forces instead be a better choice? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[CyborgMoses]

Huh? I haven't faced any light cavalry at all. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?

[Szumo]

Indeed i have, nevermind. Abyssia and Agartha sound so alike http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[CyborgMoses]

And that's it for me, I guess. I wish that the cold aura effect wasn't so ridiculously resource-hogging; I can't even view my final battle, as it was taking five minutes per round to display. I did watch far enough, though, to see my pretender run out of orders on the sixth turn... and promptly start casting Blade Wind, when I had just barely finished researching Falling Fires in time for the battle specifically so that he could cast it. Way to go, Hollow Ataraxia. I guess the thing I did that contributed the most to killing me was placing the hundred Magma Children that I had summoned while under siege behind my other troops, with the expectation that the giants would have slaughtered everything else by the time they arrived at the front lines; they wound up smothering all my guys to death as they sat, waiting, behind the lions, cave drakes and earth elementals. I have no idea how they fared once they did reach the enemy, but apparently it wasn't good enough to keep my army from breaking and running. Do you have any idea what the casualties were like on your side, Atreides? I'd like to know how far my boys managed to carve into your fighting glacier before succumbing, and there aren't any after-action reports on castle fights.

[tromper]

I witnessed the battle, and Agartha did well. There was no overcoming the regeneration of the giants. Fire clouds and other attempts to damage them had no chance when they're gaining 4hp per turn and have a large amount of hitpoints. Awesome job with rust mist and darkness though. I learned a lot. Thank goodness I have scouts. Frankly, I don't think there's a proper counter to Nief (if there is, I'd love to hear one), but then again, I'm a moronic newbie. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[GameExtremist]

Raiding works well, basically you have to starve them so that they can't throw hordes of those nasty giants at you.

[johnarryn]

I would like to return the game to a hosting every 24 hours... please let me know if you will have difficulty with this speed.

[johnarryn]

Looking for a newish player who would like to take over as Abysia... let me know if you're interested.

[CyborgMoses]

Why, thank you for the compliment, Tromper. I can't really claim credit for the darkness, as that was due to Agartha's capital being in a cave, but the rust mist was an attempt to counteract the regeneration by increasing the damage the giants would take in a turn.

[Szumo]

I'm not able to keep up with 24h hosting yet, as i still don't have internet access at home.

[johnarryn]

Ok, Szumo... we'll keep it slower for now.

[johnarryn]

Herbacious will be taking over Abysia from Peregrine42.

[Herbacious]

Just wanted to say hi to everyone. I just started subbing for Abysia last turn and I'm already hooked on this game. I'm quite newbish but MA Abysia is already now one of my favorites

I hope you'll all forgive me, I'm not used to actual diplomacy with other players in strategy games and I tend to want to fight more than make friends if I think it'll help me =)

[Szumo]

Tell me GameExtremists, do you think getting your Pretender cursed, horror marked 4 times and killed was worth those few raids? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

This is getting fun, though fighting 2 front war is kind of tiring.

Any news from the north? After Agartha's fall, who's next target for giants?

And for good news, i have internet at home back, so as far as i'm concerned we can go back to 24h hosting anytime.

[johnarryn]

Ok... we're back on 24 hour hosting then. Please get your turns in to me by 5 pm EST (GMT-5) if at all possible.

[tromper]

The backpedaling forces of Ermor are the next target for the giants (or one of them rather), as Mictlan isn't worth the effort, acts as a convenient barrier from Eastward threats, and will be easily subsumed at any given time by the burgeoning Niefel forces. Oceania has done little of note from the sea, leaving the majority of the giants' coastal domains without fear. Unless the forces of C'tis and whomever is in the far North take action, this game is Niefelheim', without doubt. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Szumo]

Only thing i see myself is that Niefelheim is starting to monopolize hall of fame. I'm assuming all those heroes are SC/thug Niefel Jarls, right?

Come on, whoever is fighting Niefelheim, give us a story http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[tromper]

I used to think that a unit with five afflictions was really unusual. I just witnessed a Niefel Giant with eleven. I'm not kidding. And it's cursed. All it needs now is a horror mark to win the Special Olympics.

Perforce reckons and the Shroud has chosen to addition the above testament to the public at large, should the rumourmongers spread far enough:

The three famous Niefels are alone and loose in our domain. They being: Ae, Hrafn, and Lodur. Alone. And blundering about like raiders of no import. They can only damage empty provinces and temples, scooting around like little unswaddled babies. If any of you would like to strike down the giants, now is the time, as their primary force was destroyed. Their Northern regions aren't as well protected. Or so the story goes. Oceania has remained uninvolved, mysteriously.

And welcome to the conflagration, Marverni. See how Mictlan is broken, and go through me, with permission, as their forces are weak without the Niefel hosts' support, now.

Their capitol is at hand if you are speedy.

[Atreides]

Looking for 20 fire gems, will trade 1:1 with any gems except air. Send me a message if you are interested.

[GameExtremist]

Any chance we can delay sending in this turn to you by about 12 hours? Sorry...busy day for me : (

[johnarryn]

That would be fine, if its a problem getting it in... I will try to host tomorrow morning before work... or in the afternoon, we'll see..

[GameExtremist]

Cost of 20 Sauromancers - 4000 gold.

Gem cost of "Terror" - 0 death gems

Cost of watching elephants trample their own army in fear - priceless.

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

(shame about my one mighty empire being in ruins though http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif )

[Thrawn]

BTW, GameExtremist, loved your "We're screwed..." in game message a few turns back. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Made me LOL. Forgot to write back and tell you.

[johnarryn]

Some of my elephant had -11 morale at one point in that battle. Kind of impressive.

[johnarryn]

Sorry for the delay, folks... waiting on Niefelheim, whose turns take quite awhile (understandably, I suppose.. he has to micromanage all those absurd Niefel Jarls).

[Methel]

yeah grr... Im having trouble with those as the major weakness of those is fire. Sort of hard to come by underwater.

[johnarryn]

Yes well.... as soon as you start to hit them with fire, Micah slaps items that grant fire resistance on 'em... so don't feel too bad about it =)

[Micah]

Yes, well, I TOLD you to get your mermen off my lawn and you didn't listen. Can't say I didn't warn you. I'm also all that's stopping Ulm from having the game completely won, so I was kind of hoping for some backup instead of yet another front to fight on.

Sorry my turns have taken so long, it's a combination of intense micromanagement combined with complete frustration with the AI. Watching my blood hunters kill off all of their blood slaves when a few black hawks show up and then not being able to cast critical spells (or alternately, run away from a scout the PD caught), having my jarls rout because either the crappy PD units or the free skeletal chaff their wraith crown summoned up at the start of the battle got killed off (that's what it's there for! It's SUPPOSED to get in the way and die!), and watching the casters that I have set to cast buffs on my jarls cast it on themselves instead all just make me want to punch my computer. I know it's a problem for everyone (watching Ermor cast raise dead over and over with 0 corpses in the province was amusing, I got lucky there.), but it comes up much more frequently playing as Niefelheim than it has as any other nation I've tried because of the Jarls.

2h file's sent.

[Thrawn]

I feel your pain. We suggest you just drown all your Jarls, and use independent recruits for the rest of the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[johnarryn]

Yeah, them Jarls are clearly the root of your problems.... I say get rid of em.

[Methel]

i think hes trying to, but the silly guy has waterbreathing rings on them.

you have to take those off first mica http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Micah]

I'd like to see more of this hate directed at Ulm instead of me, since he's actually got a pretty commanding province lead and 2 globals up. Where's the love for the underdog?

[Methel]

Gone along with my temples i guess http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

truth be told I see you as a bigger threat than ulm.

[Micah]

To win the game, or to you right now? Of course I'm a bigger problem for you at the moment, since I'm attacking you, but Ulm's a much more credible threat to win the game at this point, he's got a ridiculous amount of territory.

[GameExtremist]

Mainly because I had a ridiculous amount of territory...and didn't defend it very well : (.

Btw when's the next turn? It's been a few days?

[Micah]

No, he was big before he killed you, but that certainly didn't help.

Waiting on him to host from what I'm aware of, he said I was the last file in and I sent it to him 12 hours ago.

[GameExtremist]

Yeah...All my armies were down south fighting Sauromatia, was a bit of a see-saw affair. I had nothing up north besides a score of sauromancers all researching towards Tartarian gate - I was busy empowering one sauromancer to be able cast well. Oh well http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

One thing I did notice about C'tis (my first time playing them) is that their troops are vulnarable to massed missiles as Sauromatia and Ulm can both employ particularly Ulm who's fire arrows would have devastated my armies if they had of faced them.

[johnarryn]

Actually, despite my rather vast territory it is all I can do to contain Micah. Why? Well, he's playing Niefelheim, first of all... ready-made SC's who can cast Soul Vortex are handy. Ulm is notorious for being bad late game, which is something im noticing... further, Micah got to construction 8 a few turns before me and grabbed most of the important items, such as the chalice, aegis and sword of auregelmer.

Add having access to blood magic (very good late game) into the mix, and the fact that he has attacked Ermor, Marverni and Oceania while fighting me and still hasnt lost anything important, and i think its clear that Micah is most certainly the larger threat.

I would also note that he would have two globals up had I not replaced one and the other one been dispelled.

So forgive me if I don't shed a tear for Niefelheim, or consider them the "underdog."
Thats actually a good joke =)

[johnarryn]

That being said, it is likely that either Niefelheim or I will win... but I would say that you have a better chance defeating my hordes of decent troops than hordes of Niefel Jarls.

[johnarryn]

I will be hosting this evening... didn't have time last night due to being very busy.

[cupido2]

Hey! Mictlan will win this war! Our holy toads are numerous and we already reached the secrets of the rings with which you can burn the hearts of the sacrificed in the bowls of fire with your bare hands. We call them "ring of fire". So beware!

[Micah]

Ah, it's good to know that Ulm will stoop to lying in an attempt to secure aid. I'd hardly say he's having trouble containing me when his armies are taking province after province of mine. While I have been holding my own fighting my 4 front war I also haven't made much headway, while Ulm continues to expand.

I'm not sure what his point about my dispelled globals is, either. The fact that they got dispelled means I'm worse off than if I hadn't cast them.

[tromper]

The duplicity of the tallmen knows neither bounds nor couth, whereas the steeled forces of Ulm have dealt with upmost honesty as they valiantly fight the chilling terror of the dual headed, and power-hungry, monstrosities behind the forces of Niefelheim. The polluters of weal and murderers of all of our peoples. May their corpses not even haunt barrows, but occupy the bellies of worms.

Those who lack fervor and seek only blood, choosing to ignore the obvious, as the pathetic Mictlan forces have, shall languish with those of us that remain, but more so, as we await the next Age.

[Micah]

Right, a testament from Ermor. I had their capital under siege fairly recently, I'm sure they're quite unbiased.

[johnarryn]

I'm not exactly sure where I was lying, Micah... my point about the globals was that without me to fight you, you would have globals up as well, including the "finger to everyone" spell Illwinter.

And yes, i'm taking some provinces that were once Marverni's from you... and as I take one of yours, you take one of Oceania's and Ermor's, and even mine. I'll leave the rest of the players to decide who is a bigger threat... but I think most can already see.

[Micah]

We can play semantics games forever, I'm sure. I'm really only taking over provinces that were "Once Ctis'" from you, after all, so they must not be important, much like Marverni's aren't to me.

The lying comes in when you imply something that is factually untrue. I don't care to explain the details of my capabilities for strategic reasons, but you have overstated them. I'd be willing to wager 100 gems on it.

And yes, without you, I would have 2 globals up, whereas without me you would rule the world.

Illwinter isn't so bad, either. If I really wanted to give the finger to the world I'd drop Corruption, I was just trying to save myself the trouble of constantly spamming wolven winter.

The trouble with Ulm isn't his mages, or his troops (though both are quite good, even if the mages aren't too flashy) it's the gem income he's pulling in from his huge province advantage. When he's summoning up tartarians his weak national mages won't matter all that much anymore, I assure you.

[Methel]

one word: Patch?

[johnarryn]

Everyone (except Micah, who im currently waiting on) can go ahead and patch. I'll patch and then host.

[Micah]

Game's over, Ulm wins

(I'm conceding due to the national mismatch, the province disadvantage I'm at, and the loss of an important battle along with a series of less important ones. No one else has a chance of doing anything at all to stop Ulm from winning)

[johnarryn]

If anyone else would like to continue the game, that would be fine, although I think Micah is correct in that my province advantage at this point makes me somewhat unstoppable. Please let me know if you'd like to keep the game going.

[Methel]

Hmm, I dont know... If the frost giants pulled back a little i think I could handle a lot of ulmish troops.
What kind of offencive power does he have?

[johnarryn]

Well, it might be best to put it to a vote... if you want to keep playing, "Yes", if not, "No." Either way, Micah informs me he is out. So, it comes down to if the rest of you want to keep playing. Im happy to keep going, but also happy to stop.

Votes: keep going?
Ermor - No
Marverni - No
Sauromatic - No
Arco - No
Mictlan - Yes
Oceania - Yes?

The vote being 4-2 to end it (without counting me), i'm going to end this game, declaring myself the victor.
If Oceania or Mictlan really, really want to keep playing I suppose we can, although the majority seem to be against it.

[tromper]

I could continue with thematic stuff, but before Micah gave up, he did gut me (not as quickly as he'd have liked, I suspect). So unless the majority of players wish to continue, I vote nay. All the same, I'll till toss out turns with a very strange force or two that I've recruited, if others wish to carry on, if only for comedy and insight.

[Digress]

Without someone ready and willing to sub for Micah and play it out to the bitter end, that is to slow Ulm down by sacrificing Neifelheim while the rest of us form some kind of alliance, its rather pointless.

Ulm got a large province lead a while ago and has continued to expand it. I assume Ulm's gem income is such that any lack of strength in some important magic paths has been overcome and Ulm no longer needs to rely on its recruitable forces for victory but could switch over to summons without a great deal of difficulty. I admit my intel is not what it should be but my sceptics keep dying en masse leaving me a little bit blind.

I certainly don't feel Arcoscephale would constitute more than a speed bump at the moment without a concentrated "everyone one attack Ulm".

So I say no - lets concede it. However if the vote turns out to be a majority in favour of playing on I will happily lead Arcoscephale to glory http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[johnarryn]

Marverni has privately indicated to me that he does not wish to continue, as he is mostly dead at this point... let's wait and here from Sauro and Mictlan, but I do believe the game is done at this point.

[cupido2]

I have no idea what is going on outside my land's borders and that isn't much. But I usually like to play the stuff out I started. So I vote "yes".

Mictlan

[Szumo]

I'm ok with ending the game at this point. I think i've learned enough from my first MP game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

[johnarryn]

Just repeating the edited post:

Votes: keep going?
Ermor - No
Marverni - No
Sauromatic - No
Arco - No
Mictlan - Yes
Oceania - Yes?

The vote being 4-2 to end it (without counting me), i'm going to end this game, declaring myself the victor.
If Oceania or Mictlan really, really want to keep playing I suppose we can, although the majority seem to be against it.

[johnarryn]

Also, I will begin recruiting for my next EA random PBEM game.. I want to open that up to the people who were in this game first, so let me know if you're interested. As soon as I start assigning nations, you'll get a PM.

[Methel]

Too bad I wont have a chance to flood you with my niefel flames casting mages. I have 20 or so ready to swarm out of my capital.
I also have about 600 RP a turn http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[tromper]

heheheh, was a fun one - I certainly learned to absolutely despise Jarls http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Would have been fun to fire off a few more rounds of wind guided flaming arrow Vision's Foe volleys but then again, I'd also have to deal with a bunch of jerks in armour telling me where to leak. Violently. And not through a usual orifice. That's Ulm for ya.

[Digress]

I was hitting over 700 RP but my gem income was truly awful and had been the whole game. Got boxed in early (mainly my own fault) and never had the provinces to get the gem income up.

[johnarryn]

The reason I was fairly confident of victory was my 8000 gold income a turn (about 5500 after upkeep) and the fact that I had a gem income of more than 40 of each gem type (except water, it was like +33). So I was pulling in a simply massive amount of all types of gems, was forging all the unique items at Construction 8, summoning up the kings and queen at Conjuration 8 and getting ready to start my Tartarian factory. I also killed Micah's Jarl that had the Aegis (and then stole it) through some nice luck (and the use of a black bow of botulf that feebleminded the Jarl before he could Soul Vortex). All kinds of craziness.

[Micah]

I'm more of the opinion that my jarl happened to be crushed to death by about 10 metric tons of bull**** falling on his head instead of anything Ulm did, but regardless, losing my ring of wizardry and the aegis, and not knocking out the army that that Jarl was sent to kill kind of sealed the game.

[johnarryn]

Black Bow of Botulf, dude. It was all in the skill =)

[Micah]

If you hadn't hit him from near maximum range with a single shot through a parry 7 shield and luck I'd be a bit more inclined to agree with the "skill" sentiment. I knew you had the damn thing and wasn't worried about it due to the absurdly low probability of it hitting from that far away. If my guy'd showed up without a brain after the fight I would have been completely fine with it. Getting hit on round 1 and dying is a different story completely (I think I had him scripted to air shield too)